GB Reman's Rearview on 2023: A Year of Advocacy, Involvement, and Celebration in the Aftermarket
- dkitching5
- Dec 13, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 14, 2023
LONG BEACH, California - December 14, 2023
GB Reman's 2023 was filled with advocacy, industry involvement, celebrations and recognition. From industry events to trade shows, we championed remanufacturing, sustainability, and supported the future of the automotive aftermarket. New sales leaders were named, products were released and showcased, and our commitment to excellence earned us recognition for both our customer service and our thought leadership.
Read on for a letter to our industry from GB Remanufacturing President & CEO, Michael Kitching as well as a glimpse into the last 365 days at GB Reman.
Thank you to our valued customers, suppliers, and industry colleagues for another impactful year. Here's to 2024 and what lies ahead!
Reflecting on 2023
A Letter to the Automotive Aftermarket from Michael Kitching, President & CEO of GB Remanufacturing, Inc.
Time has a funny way of catching us off guard. It seems that in the blink of an eye, we transition from the start of a new year to the anticipation of industry week, only to find ourselves immersed in the holiday season again before returning once more to the month of January.
With each passing year, we get a chance to pause and reflect on what went well and what threw us a curveball in the last 365 days. This year is no different than years past.
Supply chain disruptions are here to stay, driven by global events and economic shifts. National and worldwide uncertainties, including inflation, trade tensions and wars, have added complexity to our operations and adapting to changing consumer behaviors is an ongoing challenge. The costs of labor and materials are at an all-time high, yet, while these challenges continue to affect our industry, I believe they also provide a testament to the resiliency of the automotive aftermarket and our ability to figure it out and continue to move forward.
In the realm of national policy, the progress made in passing the REPAIR Act is a noteworthy achievement. Advocacy efforts in Washington D.C. have advanced our cause, emphasizing the importance of providing equal access to diagnostic and repair information. Advocacy has not only been at the forefront in Washington D.C., but among the many leaders of our industry. Our industry has come together to educate and inform our own professional and personal networks about what the Right to Repair means and why it is so important. These strides reflect our commitment to empowering independent repair shops and ensuring the best service for every vehicle owner. We must continue these advocacy efforts throughout 2024.
Our industry has also made huge strides in advocating for sustainable manufacturing and business practices. GB Reman was proud to partake in Global Reman Day alongside our fellow reman industry colleagues. This annual celebration is an essential part of educating our industry about the benefits and inherent sustainability of remanufacturing. The formation of the Auto Care Association's new sustainability committee also underscores our commitment to fostering eco-friendly initiatives. GB Reman is proud to be represented on the committee. The recent introduction of a sustainability pledge for AAPEX exhibitors further exemplifies the aftermarket’s dedication to advancing sustainable practices. This collective effort not only reflects our industry's awareness of environmental concerns but also demonstrates a shared commitment to shaping a more sustainable future. As we move forward, it's crucial that we continue to collaborate, educate, and implement initiatives that contribute to a greener and more sustainable automotive landscape.
All of us at GB Reman maintain a positive outlook on the future of our company and our industry’s growth, innovation and resiliency. We thank our customers, suppliers and industry colleagues for another impactful year and look forward to continued excellence in the New Year.
Best Regards,
Michael Kitching
President & CEO, GB Remanufacturing, Inc.
2023: A Year of Milestones & Success
January: 10th Semi-Annual Top Performers
In January, GB Reman recognized our 10th Semi-Annual Top Performers. These individuals are exemplary members of Team GB that go above and beyond to provide our customers with industry-leading premium gasoline and diesel fuel injection products.
February: CAWA Winter Forum
In February, we convened with manufacturers, warehouse distributors and industry professionals from California, Arizona and Nevada to discuss issues that our geographic-corner of the aftermarket faces at the CAWA Winter Forum in Napa, California.
March: AMN Front Cover & International Women's Day
In March, we made the front cover! GB Reman was proud to be featured in AMN Magazine's March issue, which focused on how parts suppliers are navigating the changes and challenges our industry faces each and every day. We also celebrated International Women’s Day with the women of Team GB! Of GB Reman's 11 managerial positions, 5 are held by women.
April: Global Reman Day with APRA
One of our favorite days of the year: Reman Day! GB Reman participated in Global Reman Day. We advocated for remanufacturers around the world by aiming to educate our team and our industry about the importance of remanufacturing for the environment and the economy. We were honored to host the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) at our Reman Day celebrations at our remanufacturing facilities in Long Beach, California.
May: New Sales Leadership & Sustainability Comittee
In May, GB Reman named Andrew Kitching as our new Director of Sales. We were also proud to announce that Michael Kitching was appointed to the newly formed Auto Care Sustainability Committee, further deepening our commitment to advocating for sustainability in our industry. Kitching will serve on the committee's recycling working group, which explores and provides valuable guidance on the advantages and opportunities that recycling presents within the automotive aftermarket. Recognizing the need to minimize waste and promote responsible resource management, this group aims to highlight the benefits that recycling can bring to the industry.
June: Spring Product Release
In June, we announced our first product release of the year. The release included 25 remanufactured gasoline and diesel fuel injection part numbers covering over 12 million vehicles in operation and over 1,200 unique vehicle applications.
July: 11th Semi-Annual Top Performers
In July, the team at GB Reman enjoyed time off to celebrate our beautiful country and our independence! We also recognized our 11th Semi-Annual Top Performers. We are extremely grateful to have so many outstanding members of our team that we get to recognize Top Performers not once, but twice, a year!
August: UAF Lifetime Trustee Recognition
In August, GB Reman became a Lifetime Trustee of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. The University of the Aftermarket Foundation lifetime trustee designation is reserved for exceptional donors who support the UAF mission of providing scholarships and educational opportunities for the next generation of aftermarket professionals. “The University of the Aftermarket Foundation plays a fundamental role in educating and shaping the future leaders of our industry. All of us at GB Remanufacturing are proud to support this great organization as a lifetime trustee,” Michael Kitching, president and CEO of GB Remanufacturing, said. Kitching will serve as the company’s representative on the UAF board of trustees.
September: Leadership & Legislation in Washington D.C.
In September, we got (even more) involved! GB Reman travelled to Washington D.C. to attend the Auto Care Assocation's Fall Leadership Days and Legislative Summit and join our industry in the fight for the Right to Repair. The two-day event included visits and meetings with members of Congress and their staff on Capitol Hill where they discussed the necessity of the REPAIR act for both the automotive aftermarket industry and also for every day consumers.
October: Industry Week & AAPEX Product Release
Our favorite time of the year - showtime! GB Reman returned to Las Vegas for the 2023 AWDA Meetings and AAPEX Show. We had impactful one-on-meetings with valued and prospective customers, worked hard to release 59 new part numbers that were well-received, and unveiled a completely new booth! This year's show was definitely one for the books.
November: Excellence in Customer Service Recognition
In November, GB Reman celebrated Thanksgiving together with our annual Thanksgiving luncheon.
We were also proud to announce that Parts Authority awarded Dee Lazatin one of their prestigious Excellence in Customer Service awards. Since joining the GB Reman team in 2012, Dee has played a vital role and consistently exemplified our commitment to treating customers with the utmost care. This recognition underscores Dee's unwavering dedication and the positive impact they have made on both the team and our valued customers.
December: PRI
In December, GB Reman closed out the year by attending the 2023 PRI Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. We chatted with show attendees and showcased our top-notch fuel injection test equipment equipment at the Indiana Convention Center.
About GB Remanufacturing, Inc.
Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Long Beach, CA, GB Remanufacturing, Inc. is the market leader in providing remanufactured OEM gasoline and diesel fuel injectors, injector components and diesel electronics to the automotive aftermarket.
Contact: Delaney Kitching
Marketing Manager, GB Remanufacturing
(562) 272-7333
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